Students

Are you ready to go back to school? Are you missing your friends? If you are in the mid-summer blues then here is the info for you.

Beach Activities

The first issue of the summer newsletter was sent out today on a beach theme.
Who doesn't love a day at the beach? These ideas will help you have fun at the beach, or create a beach day in your own backyard. Don't forget to get out the beach towels and make some lemonade. The kids will feel like they are at the beach even if the ocean or lake is miles away.
Craft Projects

1. Build a sand castle using tips and ideas to make it easy.
2. Make your own sand mask.
3. Make a batch of sand dough for modeling or to make stepping stones.
4. Mix sand with leftover sidewalk chalk to create something new.
5. Paint seashells with acrylic paint.
6. Make a seashell necklace. Tread a needle with a piece of thread a bit longer than you want to necklace. Use the needle to poke a hole in the shell. String the shells and then tie it on to make your necklace.
7. Make footprints in sand that will last forever.
8. You can take these ice cream cones to the beach, and they won't even me

Science
There's a whole new website for Science Kids at Home. For the start of summer, you can find out about the science of sunlight and exactly what is ultraviolet light. There's a sunlight experiment to see the ultraviolet light and an idea for a close-up look at beach sand.
Activities
On a rainy day, you can create the beach inside. Create an indoor sandbox and use your bathtub for the water. Let the kids wear their bathing suits into the tub and be sure to have lots of pails, boats, and beach toys.
Don't forget your camera. Take lots of pictures and make a scrapbook or start a journal with your adventures.
Use the comments section of the blog to tell us about your beach adventures with the kids. We'd like to share your creative ideas with other families.

Nature Week

Have you really looked at the world around you? Even if you live in the city, nature is everywhere once you start looking. The pictures on this page were taken in my neighborhood. You'll be surprised what you can find in your neighborhood, once you start looking.

bird nest by a house

Craft Projects

1. Make a Peek-a-boo box for different types of habitats.
2. Make your own butterflies.
3. Create your own animals.
4. Ready to make your own creatures?
5. Use paper mache to make your own tree.
6. Create your own snake.
7. Make a bouquet of flowers.
8. Create animals from fun foam.

Games
The Creature guessing game is a fun way to fill the time when you are traveling.
Who or What Am I using different things found in nature. This game works best with a group of kids.